Leicester Tigers head coach Tom Hudson has reacted to the side's 43 - 29 defeat by Bristol Bears in Premiership Women's Rugby.

Tigers scored five tries and pushed Bears all the way to the final minutes in an entertaining back and forth encounter.

Taking a try bonus point from Ashton Gate is not a feat many will manage this year but Hudson is 'happy to be disappointed' his charges didn't come away with more.

"Really pleased - there's been very few instances in my time here that I wished the game would go on for longer but today I'm gutted we couldn't quite get over the line.

"We'd probably have taken that result before the game but now we're here I wish we had 20 minutes more.

"So I'm happy to be disappointed and I know we're capable of even more."

Following two away games in a row, there's now just one week until derby day, with Loughborough Lightning travelling to Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

The fixture comes at a good time for the home side as, the Saracens result with a rotated side notwithstanding, Tigers have scored 14 tries in their last three matches.

"Over Christmas we've been focusing on our execution in the 22 and it has given us a real buzz.

"It's putting us into games we just weren't in before. We've not quite seen that regularly turn into wins but it is putting us in games.

"Our points per entry into the 22 has shot up so that's an area we're really pleased with."

As well as the coming storm with Lightning, champions Gloucester-Hartpury will be visiting Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

With back-to-back home games on the horizon, Leicester will be "looking to take an opportunity".

"This result should give us momentum into next week, especially with the way we attacked in that second half" Hudson added.

"There's some sore bodies out there but we are going to put ourselves in the best position to throw everything at them (Loughborough) next weekend and then look to finish the season strong."